View full sizeIan AdamsThere are great things to photograph, such as this 16-sided barn, in every area of Ohio, says nature photographer Ian Adams. He proves it in his new book, "A Photographer's Guide to Ohio," which includes more than 100 of Adams' photographs.

I've heard recent arrivals -- and some native Ohioans -- complain about the hills that never quite gather themselves into mountains, and the steady diet of trees and barns that make up the landscape as you drive Interstate 77.

The publication of his latest book, "A Photographer's Guide to Ohio," gave me an excuse to call up Adams, who has long been on my short list of people I'd like to meet. I dabbled in outdoor photography years ago and always wanted to take one of his classes, but the stars never aligned.

I got him all to myself for a recent meeting over pancakes and eggs. He brought me a copy of his book; I carefully set it out of the way of syrup drips.

"I've had tremendous pleasure traveling around for it," said Adams, 64, who has contributed photographs to books about the Holden Arboretum, Cleveland Botanical Garden and Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.

PD filePhotographer Ian Adams

The book works as a travel guide, a primer on digital landscape photography or just a fun read about little-seen corners of the state. It includes Ohio regional maps with color-coded photography locations.

It has chapters on waterfalls, public gardens and arboretums, natural areas and preserves, barns, bridges, gristmills, buildings and murals. It takes us from Malabar Farm State Park near Lucas to Lanterman's Mill in Youngstown and Zoar Village near Canton to Topiary Park in Columbus.

His terrific images -- many of them shot from unusual vantage points -- are scattered throughout.

"It covers the things I think are photogenic," said Adams, who lives in Cuyahoga Falls.

I hoped to hear the arcane lore that would take my photos from ordinary snapshots to works of art, but there are no shortcuts. Great photos require planning and hard work.

"Anyone can take a quick photo from a scenic overlook with a cellphone or a point-and-shoot camera," Adams writes in his book. "Like most worthwhile endeavors, creating a fine photograph of a scenic vista requires planning, preparation, skill and effort."

He has visited all the locations in the book at least once, and all the photos are his. "I didn't want to put [a location] in because someone else said it was good," he explained.

About half of the photographs were taken as many as 25 years ago. He also took new shots and discovered new places -- such as Paint Creek gorge west of Chillicothe -- during the year he wrote the manuscript.

Adams described how the Paint Creek River makes a U-turn and carves out a gorge that stretches about two miles and affords one of the finest views in the state.

What's the most unusual place he found? Unless you lived in the area -- or bought Adams' book -- you'd have no idea vestiges of mining in the 1800s still exist in Ohio.

Near Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County (which merits an entry for its summer displays of pink waterlilies) lies the Lake Hope Furnace, which dates back to the 1800s.

It looks weird enough, but if you follow a maze of dirt roads and go over a rusty iron bridge, you'll arrive at the creepy Moonville Tunnel. The mists and shadows make it a "pretty scary place if you're on your own," Adams recalled.

His favorite spot in Ohio? "Wherever I happen to be at the time," he said.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.